Evaluation of different variants of Muskbala (Valeriana jatamansi) for enhanced productivity and quality under mid-hills conditions of H.P. (Funded by GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Almora)

            This project was initiated with the following objectives viz., i)Productivity and quality evaluation of seven different morphotypes of Valeriana jatamansi, ii) Screening high yielding and high quality V. jatamansi chemotype (high oil and Valepotriate content), iii) Analyzing the possibility of leaf as a source of marker compounds and iv) Domestication and Development of agro techniques for commercial cultivation of Valeriana jatamansi under mid hill conditions. The minimal plant decriptors of seven morphotypes are presented in Table 2.8.

Observations at 5 months after transplanting indicated that the number of offshoots/plant was maximum in morphotype VI, indicating higher multiplication rate. Morphotypes II and V produced significantly higher root rhizome biomass respectively (Table 2.9).

Table 2.9. Growth and biomass production of different morphotypes of Valeriana jatamansi five months after transplanting

In continuation to our earlier on seven morphotypes of V. jatamansi maintained under polyhouse conditions, the production and quality analysis was done for one year old crop (Table 2.10). As roots are part of prime importance in Valeriana jatamansi, Type V, VI and VII appears to be promising from productivity point of view as they exhibited highest root: shoot ratio of 0.46, 0.46 and 0.43, respectively. Type I recorded highest fresh and dry weight of leaves. This was followed by Type VI. However, maximum root dry matter was recorded in Type VI. This was followed by VII. Type V attained maximum rhizome fresh and dry weight per plant (63.53 and 7.11g).

Table 2.10. Growth and biomass production of different morphotypes of Valeriana jatamansi from one year old crop under polyhouse conditions